U.S. patent application number 10/814152 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-07 for route guidance learning device.
This patent application is currently assigned to MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Kishigami, Keiju.
Application Number | 20040199325 10/814152 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33095243 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040199325 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kishigami, Keiju |
October 7, 2004 |
Route guidance learning device
Abstract
Deviant position determining means determines whether or not a
vehicle deviated from a set route, detects route deviation
information such as a route deviated position when a vehicle
deviated, and stores it as past route deviation information in
route deviant position storing means. The route searching means
searches a route to the destination based on information obtained
by position detecting means and map information acquiring means,
and past route deviation information obtained from the route
deviant position storing means. The route guidance changing means
determines whichever route guidance method is the best based on
information obtained by the route searching means and from the
route deviant position storing means, and instructs a route
guidance outputting means.
Inventors: |
Kishigami, Keiju; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
|
Family ID: |
33095243 |
Appl. No.: |
10/814152 |
Filed: |
April 1, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/417 ;
340/995.21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C 21/3641
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/210 ;
701/209; 340/995.21 |
International
Class: |
G01C 021/34 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 3, 2003 |
JP |
2003-100627 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A route guidance learning device comprising: operation inputting
means for inputting the destination; position detecting means for
detecting the current position; map information acquiring means for
acquiring map information; route-searching means for searching a
route from the current position to the destination on the basis of
information input through the operation inputting means, the
position detecting means, and the map information acquiring means;
route deviant position determining means for determining a deviated
position from the searched route; route deviant position storing
means for storing the determined route deviated position; and route
guidance changing means for changing a route guidance on the basis
of information on the route deviated position stored in the route
deviant position storing means.
2. The route guidance learning device according to claim 1, wherein
the route deviant position storing means for storing the
information on the route deviated position by correlating with
information obtained by driver inputting means.
3. The route guidance learning device according to claim 1, wherein
the route deviant position storing means accumulates information on
a newly determined route deviated position.
4. The route guidance learning device according to claim 1, wherein
the route deviant position storing means for storing the
information on the route deviated position by correlating with
information input by a driver through the operation inputting
means.
5. The route guidance learning device according to claim 1, wherein
the route searching means for searching a route by getting around
the route deviated position stored in the route deviant position
storing means.
6. The route guidance learning device according to claim 1, wherein
the route guidance changing means changes contents of a display of
a route guidance.
7. The route guidance learning device according to claim 1, wherein
the route guidance changing means changes contents of a voice
output of a route guidance.
8. The route guidance learning device according to claim 1, wherein
the route guidance changing means changes volume of a voice output
of a route guidance.
9. The route guidance learning device according to claim 1, wherein
the route guidance changing means changes the number of times of a
route guidance.
10. The route guidance learning device according to claim 1,
wherein the route guidance changing means changes a voice speed of
a route guidance.
11. The route guidance learning device according to claim 1,
wherein the route guidance changing means delays or advances timing
of a route guidance.
12. The route guidance learning device according to claim 1,
wherein the route guidance changing means is provided with route
guidance method determining/changing means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a route guidance learning
device contrived to learn in what way a vehicle deviated from a
route in the past, and to correct its guidance method at all
times.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A navigation system for a vehicle informs a user via voice
or visual display that the user has to go straight, turn to the
right, or turn to the left short of an intersection when a running
vehicle approaches the intersection. The system prevails that the
guidance information is given to a user at the predetermined timing
short of the intersection. Therefore, there is a circumstance in
which timing may not necessarily be said to be appropriate,
depending on a driver's driving skill and the sense of
distance.
[0005] As a prior art achieved success in curing this defect, a
device has been proposed which is disclosed in JP 05-232873 A in
which the device is arranged such that it calculates an arrival
distance or an arrival time from the current position of a vehicle
to an intersection lying on a route on the basis of road map data,
outputs guidance information when the calculated value comes to the
previously set distance or time, as well as arbitrarily sets the
distance or time, and outputs guidance information at the timing
according to a driver's skill and the sense of distance.
[0006] The conventional device thus arranged as above has been
proposed, however, the device entails a drawback that it causes
inconvenience to a user of previously inputting an arrival distance
or an arrival time, and further it is difficult for a user who
inputs a value to judge whether or not an input value is really
proper.
[0007] Therefore, when an value input by a user is improper, a
vehicle can deviate from the prescribed route. In this case,
information indicating in what way a vehicle deviated from a route
is by no means reflected upon the next route guidance in order to
automatically correct a route guidance. For this reason, when a
user took the same route again, the user is in danger of repeatedly
committing a similar deviation from a route to the past.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the
above-mentioned problems. An object of the present invention is to
provide a route guidance learning device able to store information
indicating in what way a vehicle deviated from a route, learn from
the stored information when a vehicle travels on the same route
again, and automatically correct its guidance method whenever
occasion demands to obviate beforehand a deviation of the vehicle
from a guidance route.
[0009] A route guidance learning device according to the present
invention includes operation inputting means for inputting the
destination; position detecting means for detecting the current
position; map information acquiring means for acquiring map
information; route searching means for searching a route from the
current position to the destination on the basis of information
input by the operation inputting means, the position detecting
means, and the map information acquiring means; route deviant
position determining means for determining a deviated position from
the searched route; and route deviant position storing means for
storing the determined route deviated position; wherein the route
guidance changing means changes a route guidance on the basis of
information on the route deviated position stored in the route
deviant position storing means.
[0010] According to the present invention, the invention stores
information indicating in what way a vehicle deviated from a route
in the past, and automatically corrects a guidance method whenever
occasion calls by using the stored information when the vehicle
travels on the same route again, thereby preventing beforehand a
vehicle from deviating from a guidance route.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration
of a route guidance learning device according to a first embodiment
of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration
of a route guidance learning device according to a first
embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a general procedure of a
route guidance learning device according to a first embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an instance of route deviation
information stored in route deviant position storing means 7 in a
route guidance learning device according to a first embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of a procedure
executed by route searching means 4 in a route guidance learning
device according to a first embodiment; and
[0016] FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of a procedure
executed by route guidance changing means 8 in a route guidance
learning device according to a first embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be
described below with reference to the attached drawings.
First Embodiment
[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration
of the route guidance learning device according to the first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the route guidance learning device
includes position detecting means 1, map information acquiring
means 2, operation inputting means 3, route searching means 4,
route guidance outputting means 5, route deviant position
determining means 6, route deviant position storing means 7, route
guidance changing means 8, guidance method determining/changing
means 9, driver inputting means 10, voice outputting means 11, and
display means 12.
[0020] Here, the position detecting means 1 is for detecting the
current position of a vehicle.
[0021] The map information acquiring means 2 includes a CD-ROM and
a DVD-ROM, and acquires map information from these ROMs.
[0022] The operation inputting means 3 is for inputting by a driver
necessary information on the destination or the like.
[0023] The route searching means 4 is for searching a route
extending from a current position to the destination on the map
data.
[0024] The route guidance outputting means 5 is for outputting
route guidance information in the course of a set route or route
guidance information at a set guidance point.
[0025] The route deviant position determining means 6 is for
determining whether or not a vehicle deviated from a route along
which the vehicle is being guided by relaying upon the position
detecting means 1, the map information acquiring means 2, and the
route searching means 4. When the vehicle deviated from the route,
the route deviant position determining means 6 detects route
deviation information containing a route deviated date and hour, a
route deviated position, and a route deviated situation composed of
positional relationship between the route deviated position and a
route guidance information output point.
[0026] The route deviant position storing means 7 is for storing
the route deviated date and hour, the route deviated position, and
the route deviated situation, which are detected by the route
deviant position determining means 6, and further storing
information input by a driver through the operation inputting means
3 as route deviation information correlated with the driver
information input by the driver inputting means 10. In this case,
if there are a plurality of driver information, the above
information are stored for each of drivers.
[0027] The route guidance changing means 8 compares a route
guidance target point obtained by the position detecting means 1,
the map information acquiring means 2, and the route searching
means 4 with information obtained from the route deviant position
storing means 7 to determine whichever guidance method is the
optimum, and gives instructions to the route guidance outputting
means 5.
[0028] The guidance method determining/changing means 9 changes
decision conditions for a guidance method adopted in the route
guidance changing means 8.
[0029] The driver inputting means 10 is for obtaining information
on a driver.
[0030] The voice outputting means 11 is for giving route guidance
information (message) to a user via voice.
[0031] The display means 12 is for displaying a map, a route, or
route guidance information or any other information when a vehicle
approaches a guidance point.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration
illustrated in FIG. 1 in a hardware configuration.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, the route guidance learning device is
composed of a vehicle velocity pulse generator 21, a GPS (global
positioning system) receiver 22, a gyrocompass 23, a CD-ROM
(compact disc read-only memory)/DVD-ROM (digital versatile disk
read-only memory) 24, a CD/DVD drive 25, a voice outputting unit
26, a monitor 27, an operation remote control unit 28, and a main
CPU 29.
[0034] Here, the vehicle velocity pulse generator 21 is for
generating a pulse signal every unit travel distance in accordance
with revolutions of a tire of a vehicle, and serving as a distance
sensor for detecting a traveling distance of a vehicle. Counting
the number of pulse signal detects the traveling distance of a
vehicle.
[0035] The GPS receiver 22 is for detecting the current position of
a vehicle, on which the route guidance learning device is mounted
based on signals from artificial satellites.
[0036] The gyrocompass 23 acts as an azimuth sensor for detecting
orientation toward which a vehicle faces.
[0037] The above-mentioned vehicle velocity pulse generator 21, GPS
receiver 22, and gyrocompass 23 constitute the position detecting
means 1 shown in FIG. 1.
[0038] The CD-ROM/DVD-ROM 24 is a storage medium in which the
digitized map data is stored.
[0039] The CD/DVD drive 25 is for driving the CD-ROM/DVD-ROM 24,
and reading out the map data.
[0040] The above-described CD-ROM/DVD-ROM 24 and CD/DVD drive 25
constitute the map information acquiring means 2 shown in FIG.
1.
[0041] The voice outputting unit 26 is for outputting a route
guidance message, and constituting the voice outputting means 11
shown in FIG. 1.
[0042] The monitor 27 is composed, e.g., of a liquid crystal
display and the like, and is for displaying the map information,
routes, and a route guidance or any other information. The monitor
constitutes the display means 12 shown in FIG. 1.
[0043] The operation remote control unit 28 is used by a user for
manipulation of the route guidance learning device, and constitutes
the operation inputting means 3 shown in FIG. 1.
[0044] The main CPU 29 assumes charge of performing current
position processing based on information obtained from the vehicle
velocity pulse generator 21, the GPS receiver 22, and the
gyrocompass 23, map information acquisition processing obtained
from the CD/DVD drive 25, and operation inputting processing
obtained by the remote control units 28.
[0045] The main CPU 29 is constituted by the route searching means
4, route guidance outputting means 5, route deviant position
determining means 6, route deviant position storing means 7, route
guidance changing means 8, and guidance method determining/changing
means 9 shown in FIG. 1.
[0046] Moreover, the main CPU 29 controls the voice outputting unit
26 and the monitor 27.
[0047] The general operation of the route guidance learning device
will now be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3.
[0048] FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a general procedure of the
route guidance learning device.
[0049] In step ST1, a driver operates the operation inputting means
3 to input the destination.
[0050] In step ST2, a route is searched by the route searching
means 4.
[0051] In other words, the position detecting means 1 detects the
current position of a-vehicle, the map information acquiring means
2 acquires map information, and the route deviated position storing
means 7 acquires route deviation information. The route searching
means 4 searches and sets a route extending from the current
position detected based on the map information and the route
deviation information to the destination set in step ST1. As to
this route search will be described later.
[0052] In step ST3, the route guidance outputting means 5 outputs
route guidance information at each guidance point on the route
which is searched and set in step ST2. The route guidance
information is output in obedience to instructions of the route
guidance changing means 8. Similarly, as to a change in this route
search will also be described later.
[0053] The voice outputting means 11 outputs route guidance voice
information on the basis of the above-mentioned guidance
information, and informs a driver thereof.
[0054] Moreover, the display means 12 displays the above-mentioned
route guidance information.
[0055] In step ST4, the route deviant position determining means 6
determines whether or not a route along which a vehicle is
traveling deviated from the route which is being guided in step
ST3.
[0056] If the vehicle does not deviate from the route (step
ST4-No), then the process returns to step ST3 and continues the
processing (Step ST4-step ST3).
[0057] Otherwise(step ST4-Yes), the route deviant position
detecting means 6 detects information containing a route deviated
date and hour, a route deviated position, and a route deviated
situation, and the process proceeds to step ST5.
[0058] In step ST5, if the vehicle deviated from the route in step
ST4, the route deviant position storing means 7 correlates the
route deviated date and hour, the route deviated position, the
route deviated situation, which are detected in step STP 4, as well
as information input by a driver through the operation inputting
means 3 with driver information input by the driver inputting means
10, and stores the above information as route deviation
information. In this case, when there are a plurality of driver
information, the above-described information stores for each of
drivers.
[0059] The above route deviation information stored in the route
deviant position storing means 7 is applied as information in the
next route search made in step ST2 (Step ST4-step ST2).
[0060] This enables a route search in which information on the past
route deviation is feed backed, when a vehicle travels on the same
route even next time.
[0061] The discussion will now be held below on in what manner the
route deviation information is being stored in the route deviant
position storing means 7.
[0062] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an instance of the route
deviation information stored in the route deviant position storing
means 7.
[0063] Referring to FIG. 4, reference numeral 401 denotes a record
of a route deviation, which is a unit of pieces of information
stored every time a route deviation is occurred. The record
contains a date and hour at which a route deviation is detected
(Deviation Detected Date) (402), a position where a route deviation
is occurred (Deviated Position) (403), a route deviated situation
(404), a user who is driving a vehicle when a deviation is detected
(405), and reliability (406).
[0064] Here, the situation (404) consists of positional
relationship between the route deviated route and a route guidance
information output point. The information indicates, e.g., why
things have came to such a situation as with the case where a
vehicle deviated from a route because the route guidance
information is output too early at a point short of the
predetermined point.
[0065] The reliability (406) indicates to what extent the route
deviation information itself is reliable. For example, when a
driver inputs information indicative of a willful deviation from a
route through the operation inputting means 3, reliability becomes
naturally low.
[0066] In this way, the route deviant position storing means 7
correlates the information on the route deviated position with the
information input by a driver through the operation inputting means
3, and stores it as one of the route deviation information.
[0067] The information so configured as above stored in the route
deviant position storing means 7 logs histories indicating in what
way a route deviation is occurred in the past. Moreover, the
impartation of "reliability" makes it possible to record that the
information stored herein has low reliability when a driver, e.g.,
deliberately deviated from a guidance route as described above.
This improves the accuracy of the stored information.
[0068] Further, when the route deviant position determining means 6
newly determined a route deviation, the route deviant position
storing means 7 accumulates information obtained by this new
determination.
[0069] The accumulation of information may contain update process.
For example, when a vehicle traveled on the same route later again
where a driver had experienced a route deviation, the past route
deviation information may be updated by the new route deviation
information.
[0070] The update allows the information stored in the route
deviant position storing means 7 to be always keeping in the latest
state according to familiarity of a driver.
[0071] In addition, in view of the fact that familiarity with a
route search varies depending on an individual driver, information
indicating who is a driver among a plurality of drivers is
previously input through the driver inputting means 10 by resorting
to an identification card or the like. Then, the route deviant
position storing means 7 stores the above information as route
deviation information by correlating the information detected by
the route deviant position determining means 6 with each of driver
information.
[0072] This implements the route deviant position storing means 7
in which route deviation information with high accuracy is stored
according to traits of characteristics of each of a plurality of
drivers, and seizes an opportunity to easily determine which
information is valuable for an actual driver.
[0073] Moreover, the route guidance changing means 8 determines the
most effective guidance method based on the route deviation
information customized for each of drivers.
[0074] The processing executed in the route searching means 4 will
now be described below.
[0075] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of a procedure
(step ST2 shown in FIG. 3) executed in the route searching means
4.
[0076] In step ST21 shown in FIG. 5, the route guidance learning
device acquires route deviation information (record) customized for
each of drivers from the route deviant position storing means
7.
[0077] In step ST22, map information acquiring means 2 acquires map
information necessary for a route search, from the current position
of the vehicle detected by the position detecting means 1 to the
destination set by the operation inputting means 3, by the map
information acquiring means 2.
[0078] In step ST23 and step ST24, the device determines whether or
not there exists any highly reliable deviated position stored in
the route deviation information acquired in step ST21, in the map
information acquired in step ST22.
[0079] If there exists some deviant positions therein (step
ST24-Yes), then the device adjusts in step ST25 the cost such that
the acquired map information is not liable to be adopted as a
search route. Otherwise (step ST24-No), the device perform a route
search operation in step ST26. When the cost of the map information
has been adjusted, a route search operation is executed by using
the map information. In this operation, in cases getting around of
the past deviated position is possible, the position is to be done
like that. This allows a vehicle not to be liable to deviate from a
guidance route.
[0080] The "cost adjustment" means that a pertinent section of the
map data (link data) is modified such that the map information is
not liable to be adopted as a guidance route. For example, a
distance in the map data is multiplied by a coefficient so as to
make the distance longer than its actual length, and not to be
liable to be adopted the map data as a route search.
[0081] In step ST27 and step ST28, if a route search is not yet
completed (step ST28-No), the process returns to step ST22, or else
(step ST28-Yes), a route search is ended accordingly.
[0082] Moreover, when the past deviant position is not got around,
notification is given, which will be described in following FIG.
6.
[0083] The processing executed in the route guidance changing means
8 will now be described below.
[0084] FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of a procedure
(step ST3 shown in FIG. 3) executed in the route guidance changing
means 8.
[0085] Referring to FIG. 6, in step ST31, information on the next
route guidance target point is acquired based on information
obtained by the route searching means 4. In step ST32, the route
guidance learning device acquires a route deviation record
customized for each of drivers from the route deviant position
storing means 7.
[0086] In step ST33 and step ST34, the device determines whether or
not the next route guidance target point is a point where a vehicle
deviated in the past inclusive of its reliability. If a route
deviation is occurred (step ST34-Yes), the device instructs the
route guidance outputting means 5 to change a regular
(predetermined) route guidance to give a route guidance in step
ST35. Otherwise (step ST34-No), the device instructs the route
guidance outputting means 5 to give a driver a regular
(predetermined) guidance in step ST36.
[0087] As mentioned above, when the next route guidance target
point is a point where a route deviation is occurred in the past,
the route guidance changing means 8 changes a route guidance, and
the route guidance outputting means 5 gives a notification.
Thereby, a driver pays attention to a point where he/she had
experienced a route deviation in the past, which conduces not to be
liable to deviate from a guidance route.
[0088] Here, embodiments of changing a route guidance involves
changing output contents displayed on a route guidance display,
changing output contents and volume of route guidance voice,
changing the number of times of a route guidance itself, changing a
voice speed (playback speed) of a route guidance, and changing
timing at which a route guidance is given. For instance, a measure
may be taken to change the remaining distance to a guidance point
on a guidance display, or to turn up volume of route guidance
voice.
[0089] Instead, on the occasion of changing timing of a route
guidance, when a point where a route deviation is occurred in the
past is located ahead of the next route guidance point, it maybe
determined that timing of the past route guidance is given too
early, and timing of a route guidance for the next route guidance
point may be delayed. On the contrary, when a point where a route
deviation is occurred in the past is located behind the next route
guidance point, timing of a route guidance for the next route
guidance point may be advanced.
[0090] Alternatively, the guidance method determining/changing
means 9 may be provided for changing conditions for a route
guidance given by the route guidance changing means 8, and the
conditions are changed so as to select either of the above methods
of a route guidance, which are different from a regular one, or to
combine a plurality of methods. This permits a vehicle not to be
liable to deviate from a guidance route.
[0091] While in the above explanation, the present invention has
been described mainly by placing a focus on a vehicle navigating
device as an applicable target, the invention may also be applied
as a matter of course to a cellular phone equipped with a
navigation function.
[0092] For example, carrying this cellular phone when riding on a
bicycle or motorcycle on the road prevents beforehand a cyclist or
motorcyclist from deviating from a route.
[0093] As mentioned above, according to the first embodiment, it is
arranged such that the route guidance learning device determines
whether or not a route deviation is occurred, when a route
deviation is occurred, the device stores, as information on the
past route deviation, route deviated dates and hours, route
deviated positions, route deviated situations, drivers, and
reliability; and at the time of the next route search, the device
takes advantage of the stored past information to determine
whichever method is the best for a route guidance. Therefore, the
device learns in what way the past route deviations are occurred,
and automatically correct whenever occasion demands a route
guidance method by making use of the stored information in
traveling on the same route, thereby obviating beforehand a
deviation of a vehicle from a guidance route.
[0094] Besides, the route deviant position storing means 7 stores
route deviation information correlated with each of a plurality of
drivers, and the route guidance changing means 8 determines
whichever guidance method is the most effective based on the route
deviation information corresponding to drivers. Accordingly, the
device can store route deviation information with high accuracy
according to traits of characteristics of each of a plurality of
drivers, thereby easily determining which information is virtually
valuable for each of drivers.
[0095] The route deviant position storing means 7 accumulates route
deviation information, which contributes to improvement in the
accuracy of prevention of a deviation from a guidance route.
[0096] Updating the above route deviation information allows the
information stored in the route deviant position storing means 7 to
be keeping always in the latest state depending on familiarity of a
driver.
[0097] The route deviant position storing means 7 stores as one of
the route deviation information by correlating with information
input by a driver through the operation inputting means 3.
Accordingly, when a driver inputs, e.g., information indicative of
a willful route deviation through the operation inputting means 3,
the device can record an evidence to show that reliability thereof
is low. This improves the accuracy of the stored information.
[0098] The route searching means 4 can make a route search in which
a route where a route deviation tends to occur, which enables a
route deviation not to be liable to occur.
[0099] When the next route guidance target point is a point where a
route deviation is occurred in the past, the route guidance
changing means 8 changes, e.g., output contents displayed on a
route guidance display, output contents and volume of a route
guidance voice, the number of times of a route guidance, and a
voice speed of a route guidance, or delays or advances timing of a
route guidance. Then, the route guidance changing means gives a
driver a route guidance from the route guidance outputting means 5.
Therefore, a driver pays attention to a point where a route
deviation is occurred in the past by virtue of notification in a
wide variety of ways, thereby enabling a route deviation not be
liable to occur.
[0100] The guidance method determining/changing means 9 is provided
for changing conditions of a route guidance output by the route
guidance changing means 8. Therefore, the conditions are changed so
as to select either of the above methods of a route guidance, which
are different from a regular one, or a plurality of methods by a
driver's own preference, thereby expecting to allow a route
deviation not be liable to occur.
* * * * *